This study is designed to evaluate the effect of different methods of drinking water treatment on the occurrence of diarrhea among children living in squatter settlements in Karachi, Pakistan, and the marginal benefit of adding handwashing to water treatment. 260 households will receive a new product which combines flocculation with chlorination to produce clearer, less chemically contaminated drinking water. 260 households will receive dilute sodium hypochlorite, i.e. bleach to treat their water. 260 households will receive soap and encouraged to wash their hands regularly. 260 households will receive both soap and the combination flocculation/chlorination water treatment. 260 households will continue their standard water treatment and handwashing practices. The households will be visited each week for 9 months, and the episodes of diarrhea from each child in the household recorded. The rate of diarrhea between the groups will be compared. At the end of 9 months, households who were part of the standard habits and practice group will receive a water storage vessel and disinfectant.

participants received weekly, in-home handwashing promotion and soap as needed

Other: handwashing

participants received weekly in-home handwashing promotion and soap as needed

Experimental: handwashing and water treatment

Other: handwashing

participants received weekly in-home handwashing promotion and soap as needed

Other: flocculent-disinfectant for water treatment

participants received a supply of flocculent-disinfectant product for water treatment and instruction in how to use it

Experimental: Water treatment with sodium hypochlorite

Other: water treatment with sodium hypochlorite

participants received a supply of dilute sodium hypochlorite and instruction to treat drinking water with it

Experimental: Water treatment with flocculent-disinfectant

participants received a supply of flocculent-disinfectant product and instruction to use it to treat drinking water

Other: flocculent-disinfectant for water treatment

participants received a supply of flocculent-disinfectant product for water treatment and instruction in how to use it

No Intervention: Control

Eligibility

Ages Eligible for Study:

Child, Adult, Senior

Genders Eligible for Study:

Both

Accepts Healthy Volunteers:

Yes

Criteria

Inclusion Criteria:

households in study neighborhoods

contain a child < 5 years old

have access to water for handwashing

Exclusion Criteria:

participated in handwashing or drinking water treatment programs with HOPE previously

Contacts and Locations

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To learn more about this study, you or your doctor may contact the study research staff using the Contacts provided below.
For general information, see Learn About Clinical Studies.

Please refer to this study by its ClinicalTrials.gov identifier: NCT01538953